According to a report from Fun Science website on March 30th, scientists from the Department of Molecular Biology at Wyoming State University have found through experimental research that proteins extracted from miniature slow-moving animals slow down the speed of human cell metabolism, indicating that these proteins may be key components in slowing down the aging process in humans. But researchers say more research is needed to verify whether these proteins are truly the "fountain of youth". The relevant paper was published in the latest issue of Protein Science. The slow-moving animal studied in the experiment is a water bear, a tiny eight legged creature known for its superhero like survival ability. Water bear insects can survive in extreme conditions such as severe water scarcity and outer space, and can remain unscathed even after being shot. In order to survive, they become dehydrated balls and adjust their metabolism to near zero. In the latest research, scientists have found that a protein on its body, CAHS protein, can also slow down the metabolism of human cells in laboratory culture dishes. The main author of the research paper, Sylvia Sanchez Martinez, stated that surprisingly, when the protein enters human cells, it coagulates and slows down metabolism. When they put human cells containing CAHS protein in a state of biological arrest, the human protein becomes more resistant to pressure, as if human cells have some of the abilities of slow-moving animals. In a state of biological stagnation, organisms can tolerate adverse environmental changes, such as long-term survival in anhydrous conditions. The proteins that put slow-moving animals in a state of biological stagnation also have similar effects on human cells. This new discovery provides clues for slowing down the aging process in humans. The researchers also found that the whole process was reversible: when the pressure was reduced, the gel of the slow-moving animals dissolved, and human cells returned to normal metabolism. This means that the metabolism of cells can return to normal after the end of biological stagnation. (Lai Xin She)